Expandable file folder

ABSTRACT

An expandable file folder includes a base wall, two cover walls extending from the base wall, two expandable end walls connected to the cover walls to confine a document holding space, and a plurality of partitions dividing the document holding space into volume variable spaces such that the end walls can expand for stuffing documents into the spaces. A bracing member is secured to lower portions of the cover walls adjacent to the base wall so as to maintain a distance between the lower portions when the stuffed documents cause bulging of the file folder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to an expandable file folder, more particularly to an expandable file folder which can stand steadily in a planar surface.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional expandable file folder is shown to include an expandable folder body 1 and a cover body 2. The folder body 1 includes two expandable lateral walls 11,12 and a plurality of partitions 13 connected to the lateral walls 11,12 to form a plurality of volume variable spaces 10. The cover body 2 includes a base wall 23, and front and rear cover walls 22,21 extending upwardly from the base wall 23 and connected to the lateral walls 11,12. A cover part 211 extends from and is hinged to an upper edge of the rear cover wall 21, and is movable between closed and open positions to cover and uncover an open top of the volume variable spaces 10.

[0005] Documents can be conveniently stuffed into the volume variable spaces 10 due to the expansion of the lateral walls 11,12. However, when a lot of documents are stuffed into the spaces 10, the file folder will bulge and will not be able to stand upright. That is, the base wall 23 cannot rest properly on a planar surface, which is inconvenient when a plurality of file folders are to be arranged in a line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an expandable file folder which can stand upright even when a lot of documents are stuffed thereinto.

[0007] According to this invention, the expandable file folder includes a base wall elongated in a longitudinal direction. The base wall has right and left base edges opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and front and rear base edges opposite to each other in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction. Front and rear cover walls are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction. Each of the front and rear cover walls includes a lower portion which is connected to a respective one of the front and rear base edges, and a middle portion which extends from the lower portion in an upright direction transverse to the longitudinal and transverse directions and which terminates at an upper edge. In addition, each of the front and rear cover walls has right and left cover edge portions opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction. Expandable right and left end walls are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. Each of the right and left end walls extends in the transverse direction, and has front and rear ends, and a plurality of pleats which are formed between the front and rear ends to permit a corresponding one of the right and left end walls to expand in the transverse direction. The front ends of the right and left end walls are connected respectively to the right and left cover edge portions of the front cover wall. The rear ends of the right and left end walls are connected respectively to the right and left cover edges portions of the rear cover wall. As such, the right and left end walls cooperate with the front and rear cover walls and the base wall to confine a document holding space with an open top at the upper edges of the front and rear cover walls. A plurality of partitions are disposed in the document holding space, extend in the longitudinal direction, and are connected to the right and left end walls so as to divide the document holding space into a plurality of volume variable spaces. A bracing member has front and rear bracing ends which are disposed opposite to each other in the transverse direction and which are connected securely and respectively to the right cover edge portions of the front and rear cover walls proximate to the lower portions of the front and rear cover walls to brace the right cover edge portions of the front and rear cover walls, and extends in the upright direction so as to maintain a distance between the lower portions of the front and rear cover walls in the transverse direction when documents are stuffed into the volume variable spaces to cause bulging of the file folder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional expandable file folder;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a view of a preferred embodiment of an expandable file folder according to this invention oriented in a planner configuration;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in an open state;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned view showing a portion of the preferred embodiment;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing that the preferred embodiment is stood in an upright position; and

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a row of the expandable file folders according to this invention standing in the upright position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of an expandable file folder according to the present invention is shown to comprise a cover body 4 and an expandable folder body 3.

[0016] The cover body 4 includes a base wall 43 which is elongated in a longitudinal direction, and which has right and left base edges 432,433 opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and front and rear base edges 434,435 opposite to each other in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction. Front and rear cover walls 42,41 are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction. Each of the front and rear cover walls 42,41 includes a lower portion 426,416 which is connected to a respective one of the front and rear base edges 434,435, and a middle portion 427,417 which extends from the lower portion 426,416 in an upright direction transverse to the longitudinal and transverse directions and which terminates at an upper edge 428,418. In addition, each of the front and rear cover walls 42,41 has right and left cover edge portions 429,420,419,410 opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] The expandable folder body 3 includes expandable right and left end walls 31,32 which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. Each of the right and left end walls 31,32 extends in the transverse direction, and has front and rear ends, and a plurality of pleats which are formed between the front and rear ends to permit a corresponding one of the right and left end walls 31,32 to expand in the transverse direction. The front ends of the right and left end walls 31,32 are connected respectively to the right and left cover edge portions 429,420 of the front cover wall 42. The rear ends of the right and left end walls 31,32 are connected respectively to the right and left cover edges portions 419,410 of the rear cover wall 41. As such, the right and left end walls 31,32 cooperate with the front and rear cover walls 42,41 and the base wall 43 to confine a document holding space 30 with an open top at the upper edges 428,418. Further, a plurality of partitions 33 are disposed in the document holding space 30, extend in the longitudinal direction, and are connected to the right and left end walls 31,32 so as to divide the document holding space 30 into a plurality of volume variable spaces.

[0018] First and second bracing members 44,48, which are in the form of strips, are formed integrally with, and extend from the right and left base edges 432,433 of the base wall 43 in the longitudinal direction. Each of the first and second bracing members 44,48 is folded along the respective one of the right and left base edges 432,433 so as to extend in the upright direction to confront a respective one of the right and left end walls 31,32. In addition, each of the first and second bracing members 44,48 has front and rear bracing ends which are disposed opposite to each other in the transverse direction. Two pairs of tab members 422,412 and 423,413 are provided with bonding surfaces, and project outwardly from and are foldable along the corresponding right and left cover edge portions 420,429 and 410,419 of the front and rear coverwalls 42,41 adjacent to the corresponding first and second bracing members 44,48. As such, each of the tab members 422,412,423,413 is folded to have its bonding surface confronting a corresponding one of the front and rear bracing ends of the first and second bracing members 44,48 so as to abut thereagainst and to be secured thereon by means of high frequency welding, thereby reinforcing the first and second bracing members 44,48 when the latter are secured to the corresponding right and left cover edge portions 420,429,410,419. Thus, the first and second bracing members 44,48 can brace between the right cover edge portions 429,419 and the left cover edge portions 420,410 of the front and rear cover walls 42,41 so as to maintain a distance between the lower portions 426,416 of the front and rear cover walls 42,41 in the transverse direction when documents are stuffed into the volume variable spaces to cause bulging of the file folder.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, preferably, two fold lines 424,415 are formed in the lower portions 426,416 of the front and rear cover walls 42,41, respectively, and extend in the longitudinal direction such that the front and rear cover walls 42,41 are folded along the fold lines 424,415 to facilitate expansion of the document holding space 30 when documents are stuffed into the volume variable spaces.

[0020] Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the base wall 43 has inside and outside wall surfaces 436,437 opposite to each other in the upright direction. A sheet member 45 is superimposed upon and is attached securely to the inside wall surface 436 by means of high frequency welding so as to form a label receiving space 450 with an access opening 451. In this embodiment, the access opening 451 is formed adjacent to the second bracing member 48. Thus, two transparent sheets 47 and a label 46 sandwiched therebetween can be inserted into the label receiving space 450 via the access opening 451. In addition, the inside wall surface 436 of the base wall 43 has an elongate penetrating hole 431 which extends through the outside wall surface 437 such that the label 46 received in the label receiving space 450 can be exposed from the penetrating hole 431. An insert access 481 is formed between the left base edge 433 and the second bracing member 48 for insertion of the label 46 and the transparent sheets 47 into the label receiving space 450. By virtue of the transparent sheets 47, the label 46 can be protected from moisture.

[0021] A cover part 411 extends from and is hinged to the upper edge 418 of the rear cover wall 41 in a known manner, and is movable between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 6, where the cover part 411 covers the open top of the document holding space 30, and an open position, as shown in FIG. 3, where the cover part 411 uncovers the open top of the document holding space 30.

[0022] Further, a fastening member includes two fastening parts 414,421 which are respectively disposed on the cover part 411 and the front cover wall 42 and which are interengageable to hold the cover part 411 in the closed position.

[0023] With such a construction, as shown in FIG. 5, the file folder can be stood on a planar surface in a steady manner, with right base edge 432 resting on the planar surface by means of the first and second bracing members 44,48 which brace the lower portions 426,416 of the front and rear cover walls 42,41, and with the label 46 visible to the user. Therefore, it is convenient to arrange a plurality of expandable file folders of the invention in a line in an orderly manner, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0024] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

I claim:
 1. An expandable file folder comprising: a base wall elongated in a longitudinal direction, and having right and left base edges opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and front and rear base edges opposite to each other in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction; front and rear cover walls spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction, each of said front and rear cover walls including a lower portion which is connected to a respective one of said front and rear base edges, and a middle portion which extends from said lower portion in an upright direction transverse to the longitudinal and transverse directions and which terminates at an upper edge, each of said front and rear cover walls having right and left cover edge portions opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction; expandable right and left end walls spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, each of said right and left end walls extending in the transverse direction, and having front and rear ends, and a plurality of pleats which are formed between said front and rear ends to permit a corresponding one of said right and left end walls to expand in the transverse direction, said front ends of said right and left end walls being connected respectively to said right and left cover edge portions of said front cover wall, said rear ends of said right and left end walls being connected respectively to said right and left cover edges portions of said rear cover wall such that said right and left end walls cooperate with said front and rear cover walls and said base wall to confine a document holding space with an open top at said upper edges of said front and rear cover walls; a plurality of partitions disposed in said document holding space, extending in the longitudinal direction, and connected to said right and left end walls so as to divide said document holding space into a plurality of volume variable spaces; a first bracing member having front and rear bracing ends which are disposed opposite to each other in the transverse direction and which are connected securely and respectively to said right cover edge portions of said front and rear cover walls proximate to said lower portions of said front and rear cover walls to brace said right cover edge portions of said front and rear cover walls, and extending in the upright direction so as to maintain a distance between said lower portions of said front and rear cover walls in the transverse direction when documents are stuffed into said volume variable spaces to cause bulging of said file folder.
 2. The expandable file folder of claim 1, wherein said first bracing member is in form of a strip which is formed integrally with and which extends from said right base edge in the upright direction.
 3. The expandable file folder of claim 2, wherein said front cover wall has a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction and formed in said lower portion such that said front cover wall is folded along said fold line to facilitate expansion of said document holding space when documents are stuffed into said volume variable spaces.
 4. The expandable file folder of claim 3, further comprising a tab member provided with a bonding surface and projecting outwardly from and foldable along one of said right cover edge portions of said front and rear cover walls adjacent to said first bracing member such that said tab member is folded to have said bonding surface confronting a corresponding one of said front and rear bracing ends so as to abut thereagainst, thereby reinforcing said first bracing member when said first bracing member is secured to a corresponding one of said right cover edge portions.
 5. The expandable file folder of claim 2, further comprising a second bracing member in form of a strip which is formed integrally with and which extends from said left base edge in the upright direction, said second bracing member having front and rear bracing ends which are disposed opposite to each other in the transverse direction and which are connected securely and respectively to said left cover edge portions of said front and rear cover walls proximate to said lower portions of said front and rear cover walls.
 6. The expandable file folder of claim 4, wherein said rear cover wall has a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction and formed adjacent to said base wall such that said rear cover wall is folded along said fold line to expand said document holding space when documents are stuffed into said volume variable spaces.
 7. The expandable file folder of claim 1, further comprising a sheet member superimposed upon and attached to said base wall to form a label receiving space with an access opening and adapted to receive a label in said label receiving space via said access opening.
 8. The expandable file folder of claim 7, wherein said base wall has inside and outside wall surfaces opposite to each other in the upright direction, said sheet member being attached to said inside wall surface, said inside wall surface having a penetrating hole which extends through said outside wall surface and which is adapted to expose the label therefrom.
 9. The expandable file folder of claim 1, further comprising a cover part extending from and hinged to said upper edge of said rear cover wall and movable between a closed position, where said cover part covers said open top of said document holding space, and an open position, where said cover part uncovers said open top of said document holding space.
 10. The expandable file folder of claim 9, further comprising a fastening member disposed between said cover part and said front cover wall to hold said cover part in the closed position. 